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The Indian women’s cricket team has earned a historic nomination at the Laureus World Sports Awards, securing a place in the coveted World Team of the Year category. The announcement was made on Tuesday, placing the reigning world champions alongside some of the biggest names in global sport.

The nomination recognises India’s extraordinary achievements over the past year, highlighted by their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup triumph and consistent performances on the international stage. The winners will be decided by the Laureus World Sports Academy and revealed at a grand ceremony set to take place at the iconic Cibeles Palace in Madrid, Spain.

Historic World Cup Triumph Powers Nomination

India’s nomination at the Laureus World Sports Awards comes after a landmark year that redefined women’s cricket in the country.

In 2025, the team scripted history by winning their first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title. The campaign was anything but straightforward. After suffering three consecutive defeats in the group stage, the squad staged a remarkable comeback that captured the imagination of fans worldwide.

One of the defining moments came in the semi-final in Mumbai, where India completed the highest successful run chase in women’s One-Day International history against Australia. The dramatic victory sent a strong message about the team’s resilience and belief under pressure.

In the final, India delivered a commanding performance against South Africa, securing a 52-run win to lift the trophy for the first time. It marked their third appearance in a World Cup final — but this time, they ensured the silverware came home.

India’s World Cup 2025 Journey at a Glance

This breakthrough year played a central role in securing the team’s place among nominees at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Strong Competition in World Team of the Year Category

The Indian women’s cricket team faces stiff competition from five other elite teams across different sports disciplines.

World Team of the Year Nominees

England’s women’s football team successfully defended their European Championship crown after defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout. Meanwhile, the European Ryder Cup Team made history by securing their first victory in the United States in over a decade.

McLaren celebrated its 10th Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, reaffirming its dominance in motorsport. In basketball, Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their maiden NBA title, matching a long-standing Chicago Bulls record. French football powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed a sensational season, claiming six major titles including the UEFA Champions League.

Against such formidable competition, India’s presence in the Laureus World Sports Awards shortlist underscores the global impact of their achievement.

India’s Growing Legacy at the Laureus World Sports Awards

This nomination marks the third major recognition for Indian cricket at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Previously, Sachin Tendulkar received the Sporting Moment Award in 2020. Rishabh Pant was nominated in the Comeback of the Year category last year, while Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra was shortlisted for Breakthrough of the Year in 2022. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat was also recognised in 2019.

The Indian women’s cricket team now carries the baton forward, symbolising the growing prominence of Indian athletes on the global sporting stage.

Star Power Across Individual Categories

Beyond the team awards, this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards feature a strong lineup in individual categories.

In the Men’s Sportsman of the Year race, tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner headline the nominees. Football standout Ousmane Dembélé and MotoGP champion Marc Márquez are also in contention.

In the Women’s category, Barcelona footballer Aitana Bonmatí has been nominated for the third consecutive year. She is joined by athletics standout Melissa Jefferson and swimming legend Katie Ledecky.

Also read: Australia Women vs India Women: Voll’s Century and Litchfield’s Blitz Seal Series for Australia

A Defining Moment for Indian Women’s Sport

The nomination of the Indian women’s cricket team at the Laureus World Sports Awards represents more than just silverware recognition. It reflects a transformational moment for women’s sport in India — a year defined by grit, belief and history-making performances.

As Madrid prepares to host sporting royalty from around the globe, all eyes will be on whether India’s trailblazing cricketers can convert their nomination into one of the most prestigious honours in international sport.

Regardless of the final outcome, their presence alone signals a new era — one where Indian women’s cricket stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest teams.

The match turned into a run-fest as India posted their highest-ever T20I total, powered by a breathtaking opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. Sri Lanka fought bravely in reply and registered their best T20I score, but the target proved too steep against a confident Indian side firing on all cylinders.

Explosive Start Sets the Tone for India

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first, hoping to exploit early movement under lights. However, the decision quickly backfired as India’s opening pair dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack with aggressive yet controlled batting.

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana stitched together a stunning 162-run opening partnership, completely taking the game away from the visitors. Their chemistry at the crease, clean stroke play, and smart rotation of strike kept the scoreboard ticking at a relentless pace.

Shafali Verma continued her sensational form in the series, registering her third consecutive half-century. She reached the milestone in just 30 balls and went on to score a fluent 79 runs, mixing powerful boundaries with confident placement. Her innings included towering sixes and crisp fours, underlining her status as one of the most dangerous batters in the shortest format.

At the other end, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana played a typically elegant yet aggressive knock. She completed her half-century in just 35 deliveries and eventually scored 80 runs before being dismissed. Mandhana’s innings was not only crucial for India’s massive total but also historic on a personal level.

Smriti Mandhana Enters Elite 10,000-Run Club

During her knock, Smriti Mandhana crossed a major milestone by completing 10,000 international runs across formats. She reached the landmark with a single in the seventh over, becoming only the fourth woman cricketer in history to achieve this feat.

Mandhana joined an elite list featuring India’s Mithali Raj, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, and England’s Charlotte Edwards. Mithali Raj remains the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket with 10,868 runs. Mandhana’s achievement further cements her legacy as one of the modern greats of the women’s game.

Late Flourish Pushes India to Record Total

After the openers laid the foundation, India continued to accelerate in the death overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh played a blistering cameo, scoring an unbeaten 40 runs off just 16 balls. Her explosive hitting ensured India crossed the 220-run mark, a rare feat in women’s T20 cricket.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also chipped in with a quick unbeaten 16 off 10 deliveries, guiding the innings to a formidable total of 221 for 2 in 20 overs. It marked India’s highest T20I score and showcased the depth and firepower of the batting lineup.

Sri Lanka’s Brave Chase Falls Short

Chasing a daunting target of 222, Sri Lanka needed a near-perfect innings. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a fighting half-century, showing intent and leadership against a strong Indian bowling attack.

Despite her efforts, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain the required run rate throughout the innings. The Indian bowlers kept applying pressure with disciplined lines and timely breakthroughs. Sri Lanka eventually finished on 191 runs, falling 30 runs short of the target.

Although it ended in defeat, the total of 191 marked Sri Lanka’s highest-ever score in T20 Internationals, reflecting their improved batting performance and fighting spirit.

Indian Bowlers Deliver When It Matters

India’s bowlers played a key role in defending the massive total. Young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma and medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy were the standout performers, picking up two wickets each and breaking crucial partnerships at important stages of the game.

Their efforts ensured Sri Lanka never fully regained momentum, despite a few aggressive spells with the bat. The rest of the bowling unit maintained tight control, complementing the dominant batting display.

Read also: Cricket News Ashes: England End 15-Year Australian Drought with Gritty Fourth Test Victory at the MCG

Series Clinched, One Match to Go

With the Indian Women’s Team Wins 4th T20I by 30 Runs, India now holds a commanding 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The team had already secured the series by winning the first three matches-two by eight wickets and one by seven wickets-highlighting their overall superiority.

The fifth and final T20I of the series is scheduled to be played on December 30, once again at Thiruvananthapuram. With the series already decided, the last match offers India an opportunity to complete a clean sweep and further test bench strength, while Sri Lanka will aim to salvage pride with a consolation win.

Read also: Cricket News Ashes: England End 15-Year Australian Drought with Gritty Fourth Test Victory at the MCG

India’s Momentum Continues to Build-Indian Women Team Wins 4th T20I by 30 Runs

This emphatic victory not only underlines India’s dominance in the series but also reflects the team’s growing confidence and depth ahead of major international tournaments. Strong opening partnerships, middle-order firepower, and disciplined bowling have combined to make India a formidable force in women’s T20 cricket.

As things stand, the Indian women’s team looks well-prepared, balanced, and hungry for success-qualities that continue to make headlines as they march forward with authority.